Not all travel warnings from the United States Department of State are created equal. The agency, for example, has given Haiti its highest-level travel warning, a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warning.
He explains what that means on his website.
“As of March 2024, Haiti has been under a state of emergency. Gun crimes are common in Haiti. They include robberies, vehicle thefts, sexual assaults, and kidnappings for ransom. Kidnappings are widespread and U.S. citizens have victims and have been injured or killed… Kidnapping cases often involve ransom demands. Victims' families have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their relatives,” he shared on September 18.
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That warning has led many Royal Caribbean passengers to worry when they see Labadee, Haiti, on their cruise itinerary. The reality, however, is that Labadee is a fenced and guarded section of Haiti that is nowhere near a population center.
There are no excursions outside the protected area at Labadee, and if an angry mob decided to head towards Royal Caribbean's private beach destination, the cruise line would have enough time to evacuate passengers and staff safely.
So just because the State Department issues a warning about a destination, it doesn't mean you shouldn't go there. However, it is important to read exactly what the US government agency is concerned about so you can follow that advice.
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What Each State Department Travel Warning Means
The US State Department uses a four-level warning system and only destinations tell travelers not to visit a location when it issues a Level 4 warning. The four levels are:
- Level 1: Take normal precautions. This is the lowest level of advice for safety and security risks. There is some risk in any international trip. Conditions in other countries may differ from those in the United States and may change at any time.
- Level 2: Use increased caution. Be aware of increased safety and security risks. The Department of State provides further advice for travelers to these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country can change at any time.
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Level 3: Reconsider the trip. Reconsider travel due to serious safety and security risks. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country can change at any time.
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Level 4 – Do not travel. This is the highest warning level due to a higher likelihood of fatal risks. The U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance, even during an emergency. The State Department advises U.S. citizens not to travel to the country or leave as soon as it is safe to do so. We recommend that you write a will before traveling and leave DNA samples in case the worst case scenario occurs.
All four are warnings, but you can see that levels 3 and 4 are worded very harshly. In almost all cases, cruise lines would not stop at those ports.
Use Extra Caution at These 3 Cruise Ports
On Nov. 7 and 8, the State Department issued new or revised warnings for three destinations served by major cruise lines. That includes one, El Salvador, where the warning has been downgraded from level 3 to level 2.
While crime remains a concern in El Salvador, there has been a significant reduction in gang-related activity and associated crime over the past two years. This includes drops in violent crime and murders. U.S. government employees can travel throughout the country during the day. Due largely to infrastructure concerns, US government employees cannot travel between cities or departments after dark, except on the route between San Salvador and El Salvador International Airport and between San Salvador and La Libertad. Government employees are also restricted from using public buses.
Carnival's Holland America Line and Princess Cruises stop in El Salvador on voyages that cross the Panama Canal, as do Norwegian's Oceania and Regent Seven Seas brands.
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Located on the western coast of Africa, Togo may not be the first place Americans think of when taking a cruise, but it is a popular stop used by Regent Seven Seas, Oceania, and Carnival's Seabourn brand.
Its level has been downgraded from a Level 1 warning to Level 2 due to “terrorism, crime, civil unrest and kidnappings,” according to the State Department.
Criminals and terrorist groups are active in Togo, especially in the border areas with Burkina Faso and northern Benin. Attacks in these areas can occur with little or no warning, and could target shops, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, schools, government buildings, transportation hubs and other places where crowds gather. Violent attacks are much more likely in northern areas of Togo than in southern and coastal areas.
Finally, the State Department has added more information to its Level 2 travel advisory for South Africa to reflect new information about kidnappings.
Violent crimes are common and include armed robberies, rapes, carjackings, and muggings. There are also “smash and grab” attacks on vehicles. Violent crime is more common in central areas of big cities, especially after dark… There is a threat of kidnapping throughout South Africa. In the past, hijackers have targeted U.S. citizens and other foreign travelers.
Cape Town, South Africa, is a port for Norwegian Cruise Line, Seven Seas Voyager, Seabourn, Princess, MSC Cruises and several specialty cruise lines.
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